Who Pays for the Music?

This week’s headlines ask a familiar question: when creative work drives billion-dollar industries, who should be paying for it? In the UK, creators are pushing back against free AI usage. In the US, Gene Simmons says radio’s royalty loophole is long overdue for a fix.

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ChaseLawyers Newsletter
December 16, 2025

Hi there,

Today’s update highlights two battles where musicians and creators are pushing to protect their rights.

In the UK, 88% of respondents to a major consultation have rejected the idea of a copyright exception that would let AI companies freely mine creative content. The government hasn’t ruled the idea out yet — but the pressure is growing.

Meanwhile in the U.S., rock legend Gene Simmons told Congress that it’s time AM/FM radio stations stop playing music without paying artists. As the American Music Fairness Act gains traction, the long-running royalty loophole could finally be closing.

A UK government consultation found overwhelming support — 88% — for requiring AI companies to get licenses when training on copyrighted works. Only 3% backed the government’s earlier idea of a new exception that would let AI developers use copyrighted content for free.

Composer and AI expert Ed Newton-Rex, who previously resigned from Stability AI in protest, says the message is clear: “AI companies should pay for the resources they use.” Despite the strong feedback, the UK has yet to officially rule out the exception.

Gene Simmons: U.S. Radio Royalties Are Long Overdue

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons testified before Congress, calling out the $14 billion radio industry for never paying royalties to artists or labels for traditional AM/FM plays. “They play our songs… and the artists get bupkis,” he said — calling it “robbery.”

The record industry is backing the American Music Fairness Act, which would finally require radio stations to pay for sound recordings. Meanwhile, broadcasters argue airplay is already valuable promotion — but the tide may be turning.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

UK government must rule out new AI copyright exception after “overwhelming” consensus in consultation

88% of creators oppose letting AI companies train on copyrighted content without permission — and they want the UK government to drop the idea entirely.

With US radio stations making $14 billion, it’s time for them to stop robbing musicians, says Gene Simmons

The Kiss star told Congress it’s time artists got paid for FM airplay — and backed the new law aiming to fix the loophole.

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Barry Chase, Esq. is an honors graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and the founding partner of ChaseLawyers®. In addition to his entertainment attorney legal practice, Mr. Chase lectures regularly on the representation of media personalities, the legal “do’s and don’ts” of music, television, and film production, and the intricacies of film rights option agreements.

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